Indulging Without Dairy

by Emily Kovach

Think you need butter, cream and eggs to create rich, satisfying desserts? Think again. Philly’s new school of vegan chefs, bakers and artisans prove that a little ingenuity goes a long way when it comes to handmade goodies.

Drink Up

Dottie’s is well-loved for their selection of gourmet doughnuts, but the unsung hero at their West Philly storefront is the vegan Thai iced tea: a rich, creamy and powerful brew for those steering clear of dairy.

This slightly more virtuous version of a milkshake from the clean-eating cohort at P.S. & Co. blends up organic vanilla cream, mint, chocolate mousse and Brazil nut milk with ice. The result is a deeply luscious way to fulfill a mint chocolate craving.

Get your sips: P.S. & Co., 1706 Locust St.

Baked

These gooey, sweet brownies and their chocolateless counterparts make indulgence possible on even the strictest diets: They are not off-limits for vegans, those avoiding gluten, corn, peanuts and soy (they’re kosher, too!).

Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews—chewy nuggets of peanuts and molasses covered in chocolate—have long been a go-to candy for vegans. Using them as a pastry filling? That’s some new-school vegan creativity at finest.

Sometimes more is more. So it goes with these loaded cookies from the vegan pizza wizards at Blackbird: chocolate chunks, pretzels, potato chips, pumpkin seeds, coconut and oats compete for real estate and make every bite chaotically delicious.

Enjoy it: Blackbird Pizzeria, 507 S. 6th St.

Fruit Forward

PB and bananas play so nicely together, and this cupcake takes the pairing to soaring new heights. Banana cake is filled with a hit of salty pretzel cream filling and topped with peanut butter frosting. Believe it or not, these babies are low glycemic, dairy and soy free.

We’re not quite sure how she does it, but Rachel Klein is a true pro at putting up cruelty-free comfort food that’s indistinguishable from the “real” thing. This brunch dish, at once rich, fluffy and creamy, is a prime example of her kitchen prowess.